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TORCH: Celebrating the Olympic Torch Relay in our city

23-Apr-2012

Brighton & Hove City Council is hosting an official Olympic Torch Relay celebration this summer as the Olympic Flame passes through the city on its journey to the Games. An audience of 10,000 people is expected at the evening event, to be held at Sussex County Cricket Club, Hove, on Monday 16th July.

The initial plan to hold the official Olympic Torch Relay celebration on Hove Lawns was changed to ensure the welfare of everyone attending such a large scale event. Recommendations from Sussex Police and Sussex Fire & Rescue Service led the local authority to work closely with LOCOG (London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games) to alter the route to reach the new venue. The result is a minor diversion in terms of distance to finish at the cricket ground instead of the seafront.

Information on how to apply for tickets will be available in mid-May. The celebration is presented by LOCOG, supported by their three partners (Coca Cola, Samsung and LloydsTSB). The show includes live music, dance and cultural performances as well as showcasing local talent. The Olympic Flame will be carried on to the stage to light a cauldron as the finale of the evening.

Meanwhile, Hove Park will be the scene of fantastic artistic activities from local community arts charity Same Sky. The park is on the route of the Torch Relay and is a key vantage point to see the Olympic Flame pass by. Same Sky is inviting families to gather with picnics to enjoy a range of sports and arts fun in the park during the afternoon. As darkness falls, the Sky Dome finale show will begin. This unique 360 degree show, based around a giant translucent dome, combines live performance, digital arts, astonishing light sequences, shadow puppets, an audio score composed for the occasion and performances from local young "Skynauts".

Cllr Bill Randall, leader of the council, said, “The Torch Relay is an opportunity for everyone in Brighton & Hove to enjoy the Olympic spirit in a truly local way, whether watching the torchbearers on the route or attending the celebrations. The official evening event at the Sussex Cricket Ground is set to be a sensational experience. We are also very proud of our Brighton-based groups and their amazing contributions to this historic event.”

Dave Brooks, Chief Executive of Sussex Cricket, added: "We are extremely proud to be invited by the Council to partner with them in staging one of the summer major events in the City. The Olympics are huge and to have the Torch passing through our City and visiting The PROBIZ County Ground will be a truly memorable experience. I know everyone involved with the Club feels a huge sense of pride as we prepare to welcome the Torch into our fantastic new Ground, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of people who may not otherwise experience our facilities."

The revised street level details of the Olympic Torch Relay route are available online HERE